Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 90114 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90114 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Shep pulls out my chair for me. I sit. Then Nick does the same for Lizzy, and the men sit, and we're all one big happy family.
At least, from the outside.
Before we can discuss anything, the waiter arrives to take our drink orders. Mineral water for Shep. The same for me. Even after he insists that's not necessary.
For a moment, I consider a gin and tonic. The buzz of pleasure is wearing off more every second. I need to calm my nerves. Quiet the voice in my head asking if this is a good idea.
But it feels wrong. Not with him so close. Not in such a small space.
"Just the water, thanks." After the waiter leaves, I turn to the table. To my old friends. Do they believe this engagement? Do they suspect ulterior motives?
They look… friendly. Excited. Happy. For us. And just happy.
"I know what you're thinking," I say. "But I'm not pregnant."
Lizzy laughs. "It crossed my mind."
"Were you going to ask?" Nick asks.
"Fifty-fifty," she says.
He shakes his head. "One hundred percent." He looks to her with love in his eyes. "Who is going to teach you some manners?"
"Yes, you're very cute," Shep says. "But I would appreciate if you'd save the bedroom stuff for later."
Nick chuckles. "Fair."
Lizzy blushes and mouths sorry to me. Her gaze flits to Shep. She studies him. Looking for something, but I can't say what.
Have they had a lot of interaction? Or is she just curious about her fiancé's brother?
Shep isn't exactly a nice guy. Caring, yes, in his way. But also cut-throat. If she was standing between him and something he wanted—
I guess I should ask him. It's really not the time. We need to look like one, big happy family to my big, happy family and Shep's friends and colleagues.
"I heard you got fired," Lizzy says. When Nick chuckles baby, you're terrible, she waves him off. Continues. "Because of your engagement. You know Nick almost fired me because of my sister."
"You were living with her," he says. "And her husband, who owns a competing company."
"Technicalities," she says. "It was bullshit then. And it's bullshit now. I'm sorry you had to deal with that." She looks to Shep. "Are you making it up to her?"
He raises a brow. "Making it up to her?"
"Not with your dick," she says. "Though, you better bring it on that front. No one disrespects my future sister-in-law."
Shep actually laughs. It's a big laugh. Warm. Real. "Good to know."
"So?" Lizzy leans forward. "Are you?"
"I'm trying." He turns to me. "I'm still not sure what Jasmine wants to do with her time." His eyes meet mine. He looks at me like he loves me. Like he wants the world for me.
I feel it everywhere. "Me either."
"I can find you a job at one of my companies." He holds out his palm. "But something tells me you'd prefer to find something on your own."
I place my hand on his. "Yes."
"Take his job," Nick says. "It's how the world works."
He's right. Like they say, it's who you know. But I don't want to stay on that particular career trajectory. "No, I don't think I'm going back to finance."
Shep's eyes fill with surprise. "You're not?"
"No." It's been in the back of my mind for a long time. Since Shep's offer, it's been pushing forward. "Last night, Lock took me to an off-Broadway show. It was this little play, put on by a grad student, a cast of three, in a room with bad ventilation. And I loved every minute of it."
Shep's eyes bore into mine.
My stomach flutters. It's not just him. It's everyone. All those expectations. I'm supposed to achieve big things. Not off-Broadway plays attended by six people.
But this is what I want. And after everything…
I'm not sure if Dad will understand. But he does care if I love Shep. Maybe… maybe he gets it.
This is easy. Practice. The challenge is telling my family. "I want to act. I know I'm a little old to start. And incredibly untrained. But it's what I want. I want to be an actor."
Lizzy's eyes light up. "That's amazing."
"It would suit you." Nick nods.
My stomach twists. Then Shep runs his thumb over the space between my thumb and forefinger and my anxiety fades.
I really do believe everything will be okay.
"You'll be great." He looks at me with all the love in the world, then he leans in and presses his lips to mine.
It feels real. Like he loves me and I love him.
Like before, I'm dizzy. Only it's so much worse than before. Because it's not washed in a wave of pleasure.
It's just my heart pounding against my chest, screaming Shep.
If I'm not careful, I'm going to fall in love with him.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Shepard
Nick is less reserved than usual. He teases Jasmine. He gushes over Lizzy. He shares a silly story from our childhood about the time I was too scared to jump into the ocean.